Angry fans slam Eagles poor performance against Zimbabwe News

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Angry fans slam Eagles poor performance against Zimbabwe

By Daily Sports Nigeria on November 20, 2023

Following another unimpressive performance against Zimbabwe in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, some fans have once again slammed the Super Eagles labelling their display a shameful outing, The PUNCH reports.

Jose Peseiro’s men put up an underwhelming performance as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against the Warriors in the second game of the qualifiers.

The draw means the Eagles have just two points from a possible six points having drawn their first game against a lowly-ranked Lesotho side at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Thursday.

Peseiro made six changes from the side that drew to the Crocodiles with Nathan Tella making his debut for Nigeria while Ola Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Joe Aribo, Moses Simon, and Terem Moffi were all named in the Starting XI.

The changes didn’t do much to change the fortune of the team as the Eagles failed to return to winning ways.

The Eagles were at the back foot unlike in their game against Lesotho where they were dominant but despite not being in total control they had a good chance to score in the 15th minute, but debutant Tella failed to conjure a good cross, and Zimbabwe cleared their lines.

Peseiro’s continuous faith in Francis Uzoho backfired after Walter Musona’s 35-yard free-kick beat the goalkeeper to hand the Warriors a lead in the 26th minute.

The goal gave Baltemar Brito’s side the needed confidence as they contained the Eagles threat limiting them to just two shots in the first 45 minutes.

At halftime, the Portuguese tactician made three changes, introducing Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Victor Boniface in place of Aina, Frank Onyeka, and Tella.

The three-time African champions thought they had won a penalty after Zimbabwean goalkeeper, Bernard Donovan, mishandled the ball in the box but the referee awarded an indirect freekick.

Iheanacho almost scored from that opportunity but the sea of yellow Zimbabwean jerseys stopped the ball from creeping into the net.

The Leicester City forward would not be denied his goal in the 67th minute in Butare.

Simon’s stout shielding of the ball and good decision in the box allowed Iheanacho to slam past the goalkeeper for Nigeria’s equaliser.

The Eagles couldn’t find the winning goal despite an additional nine minutes played after the regulation time as the Zimbabweans held their line very well to claim another one point.

Reacting to the poor performance, some fans took to social media to slam the Eagles’ poor display on Sunday.

Content creator, Omotayo Of Lagos, wrote, “Zero shame and ambition, sack that your nonsense coach.”

David Simi added, “You guys are not ashamed, better sack that man called a coach.”

Sorochi Akawor rhetorically asked, “Una no get shame like this?”

Alagbe Samson believed that the Eagles could have lost the game had their opponents were more clinical.

He said, “Zimbabwe wasted some chances towards the end of the match, including an open net chance. The last match I remember against Zimbabwe was a 5-0 win at Abuja in Germany 2006 World Cup Qualifiers. Angola pipped Nigeria to the ticket on head-to-head rules. The coaching crew should prepare the team better for the next round of matches.”

Clement Mbanugo jokingly tweeted, “Calculator price will increase because of Super Eagles fans. Let me go and use my heart for something meaningful.”

After two draws from two games, Giovanni sarcastically said, “Now change the name of the team to Super Ogbono Soup.”

Nigeria currently sit second on the log with two points behind South Africa, who face Rwanda in their second game on Tuesday.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers resume in June 2024 with Nigeria hosting the Bafana Bafana, current leaders of Group C, before travelling to an away game against Benin Republic.